- 12 people remain missing after a landslide in Malaysia,
- It killed 21.
- The incident included five children.
12 people remain missing after a landslide in Malaysia killed 21, including five children.
Heavy rain overnight Friday impeded rescue attempts, but they resumed early Saturday as crews searched for signs of life or human remains.
Rescue dogs and excavators helped searchers dig through muck and uprooted trees for victims.
Survivors heard a tremendous boom and felt the earth shake before being buried in their tents. 94 people were camping at the Batang Kali campground on an organic farm northeast of Kuala Lumpur when a hillside collapsed, throwing mud and trees down a road 30m (100ft) above the encampment.
All the victims were apparently sleeping when the landslide engulfed their tents.
The location has so far yielded 21 bodies. Three Singaporeans were among the seven hospitalized.
During Malaysia’s monsoon season, torrential rainfall can produce landslides around Kuala Lumpur.
Two victims, thought to be a mother and her child, were found “in embrace buried under the dirt,” Norazam Khamis said Friday.
Teh Lynn Xuan, 22, was camping at the spot and said her mother survived by crawling out of their tent, but one of her brothers was murdered and another injured.
She added, “Everything happened too fast.”
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim remarked, “Let’s pray for the people of Malaysia and hope this mission goes smoothly.”
The farm, 50km (30 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, rented tents to campers and was a popular getaway for families.
The farm lacked a camping permit, officials say. Authorities assume it ran the campground unlawfully for two years.
The site’s operator may face charges.
“Jangan lelah untuk berbuat kebaikan,
Gerakkan hatimu untuk melakukan kebajikan;”Dibalik senyuman mereka, terdapat usaha dan penat lelah yang dibawa. Sama-sama kita mendoakan agar dipermudahkan segala urusan.@ArmizanAmeer @jpmgov_ pic.twitter.com/bD2xzjle35
— Official Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (@APMtwiter) December 17, 2022
[embedpost slug=”death-toll-rises-to-21-in-malaysia-landslide”]
